Having a gas: tips and tricks

Posted by Melanie van Zyl on 4 June 2013

Some gas guidance to consider when travelling with your trusty gas bottle.

Always make sure the cooking surface is level, so the pot doesn’t slide off the cooker in the middle of making a meal. Find an area sheltered from wind or buy a windshield to ensure an even distribution of the heat,.
A gas cylinder is designed to cater for natural corrosion and degradation, but it’s not indestructible and suffers when exposed to excessive rain or dust. If the protective coating is scratched and the metal is exposed to the elements, the cylinder quickly rusts. Be especially careful if you live near the ocean.

The gas inside a cylinder shields its inner wall. It’s better to store a cylinder with a little gas inside to prevent air or water from entering it.
Leaving a cylinder on the roof rack of your 4×4, will expose it to harsh conditions for longer durations, shortening its life. It’s best to remove the cylinder from the vehicle and cover it and its metal accessories to prevent jet blockages and rust when not in use.
Destroy cylinders which are older than 15 years or have succumbed to corrosion must be destroyed. Just take your cylinder to your usual top up service and they will dispose of it.